The Magic Bus
Posted by Dan in Books, Camping, Hiking, tags: 142, Alexander Supertramp, Bus 142, Chris McCandless, Fairbanks City Transit, Into The Wild, Jon Krakauer, Stampede Trail, Teklinika River, The Magic BusThe Magic Bus was a place I had dreamed of visiting since I first saw the movie and read the Jon Krakauer book, “Into The Wild”. I think of it as a pilgrimage made by those who have felt some kind of connection with Chris McCandless and his story. Most people don’t realize the bus lies on the well known “Stampede Trail”, not all that far from civilization and can be reached in a solid day of hiking.
The Stampede Trail is fifty miles of rough, overgrown mining road that was abandoned in 1963. No bridges were ever constructed over the several rivers it crosses so it is primarily used by backcountry travelers on foot, bicycle, snow machine and motorcycle. The now infamous Fairbanks City Transit bus #142 was left behind by the Yutan Construction Company during the road building to serve as a backcountry shelter for hunters, trappers and ranger patrols.
Typical conditions on the Stampede Trail
I met two cool Austrian characters, Thomas and (roll the ‘R’) Roland on the Dalton Highway and it took all of 10 seconds to convince them to join me on a trip to ‘The Bus’. We were able to drive about 12.5 miles down Stampede Road before we had to leave the vehicles behind and continue on foot. The first hour and a half of hiking the next morning saw us travel on a really good quad trail, through some small swaps, through a couple of shin-deep river crossings and spat us out at the edge of the Teklinika River.
Ultimately, the ‘Tek’ was Chris’ downfall when he was unable to cross it and return to civilization, forcing him back to the bus. Although it was not the raging torrent Emile Hirsch faced in the movie, it was obvious we would be swept off our feet and downstream if we did not keep our heads about us.
We ummmed and arrred for quite a while and wandered upstream, where we had been told the river was wider and shallower. Once we got sick of our aimless wandering, Thomas picked a spot and after throwing in rocks and using sticks to measure the depth we all agreed it was our best chance. We tentatively forded one at a time, with our packs un-buckled so we could ditch them if we were to get swept in. It’s a shame you can’t see my face in any of the photos – I was more than a bit scared when it reached mid-thigh in depth and began to really push hard. Slow and steady won through and I was relieved to be on the other side. Roland came powering across like he was on a mission and in a voice that was too much Arnie to be true beamed “Bah, dat was easy”.
Crossing the mighty Teklinika River
Thomas and Roland are fitness machines and once we were back on the trail I was quickly left in their dust, alone with my thoughts. Chris must have felt such a sense of isolation and awe to be all the way out here, alone, not knowing if there was anything or anyone ahead. At times I yelled into the alder and clapped my hands, trying to avoid startling any neighborhood bears. At times I sang aloud and at times I was silently reflecting – I was actually going to the bus, the bus that Chris had spent four months living in, was essentially trapped in and finally died in. Wow.
When bus 142 appeared on the side of the trail, seemingly out of thin air I was quite startled. I’d been hiking on my own for 10 miles but somehow wasn’t ready to be there yet. I paused on the edge of the clearing for a moment, then again in the doorway, trying to take everything in. Even though I’d never been there before, it was very familiar – from the description in the book, the movie and also from the pictures I’ve seen online.
The front of The Magic Bus
I thought The Magic Bus would be a quiet, sad place to spend time – I was quite surprised to find the opposite was the case.
The stove and bed of The Magic Bus
It’s customary for visitors to inscribe their name on the wall of the bus and write a message in the “Guest Book” – a book placed in the bus by Chris’ sister Carine. There were hundreds, maybe even thousands of exhilarating messages from people all over the world who had made the trek out to the bus. People wrote about how upon hearing Chris’ story they changed their lives so they could live their dreams, people wrote of hitching thousands of miles to be there, people wrote about how beautiful of a place Chris had found. Graffiti like ‘Solo trek to honor Chris’ and ‘Swept downstream by Tek, it was worth it’ made me grin from ear to ear – Chris has inspired thousands of people and and I was thrilled to be a part of that.
Jon Krakauer's message in the book
My message in the Guest Book captures my feelings:
You have inspired more people than you will ever know, not least of all me.
Your passion, courage and determination gave me the strength to believe I really can make my dreams come true.
And here I am, in Alaska, having been to the Arctic Ocean, on my way to South America.
Thankyou Chris.
Christopher McCandless Plaque
I spent many quiet hours in the bus, reading the walls and the many guest books.
Although I hunted high and low I could not find any writing from Chris himself – it seems they have all faded away over the years.
A quote by Thoreau on The Magic Bus
It was truly and amazing experience and all three of us couldn’t stop grinning and talking of adventures to come the entire hike back.
Roland Dan & Thomas at The Magic Bus
My hair is all wrong and my beard is not nearly long enough, but you get the idea:
Dan at The Magic Bus
-Dan
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Chris was neither naive nor irresponsible. He was not an “adventurer,” he was a religious ascetic. To talk about him owing something to his parents is like talking about Jesus being disobedient to Joseph and Mary for going out in the wilderness for 40 days. Dying of starvation after living alone for 4 months is so profoundly religious and emotional and so vastlyelevated from normal methods of living and dying that anybody who criticizes this man doesn’t really understand religion. Thankfully, his sister always understood it.
Paul, that is a very interesting take that I have never heard or thought about before. I’m sure it will provide some food for thought….
Thanks for sharing.
Hey Dan, i recently saw the movie and i was fascineted by this men. I don’t think i could have the guts to do something like that! However, i am going to present (for school) an oral presentation about Chris and “Into the wild”, i would like to know if you have any advice? What do you think it would be interesting to say? I need a good mark and it is so important to me!
thank you
I think he wanted to test himself, to see if we (people) could survive like animals, because it is what we are. He basicly runnaway from the modern world, the real world. But if we see, in the other hand, Chris basicly committed suicide! He arrived at Alaska without even a map of the area! It was inconsiderate and tragic… Anyway, i hope you respond and help me! Sorry but my English is not perfect
Hey, I’m more than happy to help out in any way I can. First of all, your English is about a hundred times better than my Spanish, so don’t worry about that.
If you have no read the book of Into The Wild, I highly suggest you do so, it’s really good and has some details the film does not.
I think the amazing thing about Chris’ story is how everybody sees it from a different perspective and everybody takes something different away as the main lesson. Also, so people see Chris as a bit stupid and think he deserved to die, while others are hugely inspired by his courage and determination… I’ve never come across a story that divides people so quickly.
I think the most important thing for your presentation is that you present your thoughts & ideas about Chris and the lessons we can learn from him.
Good Luck! -Dan
Thank you for being so helpful. My own prespective is that there is a slight difference between madness and brightness we can see it in the movie. He was a brilliant student who just walked away from the modern world to the cold desert of Alaska, without a map or any food. He burned his credit card, etc…
I believe i should show some other perspectives of the movie. As you saied, each person has its own. Can you give me yours? Which would be much deeper any I should think about? I would be gratefull if you could tell me your personol analyzes.
By the way, I am in 10th grande and i am from Portugal. Also, i really love English and it is a language i would love to continue speaking for the rest of my life, that is why i am counting so much in this presentation. I am so gratefull Dan
It’s great you are so interested in learning another language – I’m trying as hard as I can with Spanish and it’s really coming along.
My personal thoughts about Chris? I’m happy to share, but please keep in mind I’m not trying to convince you or anyone else, these are just my thoughts.
I think Chris was an extremely intelligent young man who believed very strongly in his dreams. He didn’t want to live ‘that’ life and so did what it took to live another life. With regards to going to Alaska with no map & not much food etc., I think Chris was intelligent enough to understand what he was doing. As an Engineer I constantly fall back to a ‘risk analysis’ where I think up possible problems/dangers, think of their likelihood, the severity if they occur and then think of how best to avoid/mitigate/repair the damage of each risk. There is no doubt that going into the wilderness alone is dangerous, probably more dangerous than walking to work, probably less dangerous than bull fighting.
I think Chris knew this, accepted there was a danger involved in what he was doing, and was OK with that level of risk (otherwise he would not have gone ahead with it). That is a personal decision that each person must make and I feel that passing judgment on anthers decision makes no sense at all. Some people accept the level of risk associated with skydiving, some people with strapping themselves to ludicrously fast jet cars while others think it’s too dangerous to ride a skateboard.
All of those things are ‘dangerous’ and people have died and been seriously injured doing them – that doesn’t mean those people made bad decisions about the level of risk and it most certainly does not mean those people are ’stupid’, ‘naive’ or ‘ignorant’ as many people label Chris – it just means the activity is dangerous and there is a chance (maybe big or small) that something will go wrong and there is a chance there will be fatal consequences.
Obviously experience and homework will help a person to make better estimates about risks, but they are always just estimates.
I hope that gives you some more to think over.
-Dan
That analyses is very interesting and i didn’t think about that before because the first impression i had was imprudence. I think you are right, but it kind of leaves us wondering if it was a brilliant idea or a deadlock of irresponsibility. Certainly that was brave, but he should knew that what he was about to do would kill him anyway. There was no way he could survive in the wilderness, especially alone, he would end up by dieing.
You are right because there are so many people that do stupid/crazy things, for example, swim an icy river over or test themselves in islands. So why critisise a man who wasn’t trying to prove immortality or puting his life in dangereus with no cause, he was just challenging himself and the nature. Also, I do think he was religious. Could he possible think in God? I mean, when he was in Alaska, firstly he had to believe/ask for someone to help him, and secondly, he could try to prove if in that cicumstances God was really there to help him, give him any signal of his existence.
Am I right?
Hmm, actually I think he was a very religious person. I don’t remember the exact wording of his final letter, but it was very thankful to God. There are so many topics to cover it’s crazy to think about them all.
Yes, i do remeber. He saied “I HAVE HAD A HAPPY LIFE AND THANK THE LORD. GOODBYE AND MAY GOD BLESS ALL!”
There are so many things i could say that it is a mess to think of them all :p
Comparing the guy to Jesus, wow. To each his own. My cousin, Father …, does not share the view, but also says that dying in any manner is a religious experience. He does not think the events leading up to his death should be taken in any religious context other than “free will”. He hopes that Chris was a religious person, for his souls’ sake, but doesn’t think what he did was too different than trying to sail around the world in a sunfish, his quote, not mine.
Who can really say what was truly going through his mind, if anything?
I agree Mike, we can never know with 100% certainty what was going through Chris’ mind. It’s nice to think about for sure.
well said by your cousin or father!
I wish I could have known him….
there was a purity about him, a goodness that does not exist in most people……..
he was young and free and he had the right and the courage to do as he wished…..and he did….all the way, all the way to the end.
He hurt no one, he loved nature, and like all of us, he was human, a creation of god….of the earth he was made, and of the earth he left.
He wasn’t special……..he was “extra special”
some people are special, and some are “extra special”
Most of the time when a cake is baked, there is a standard recipe, all the ingredients are thrown in a bowl, mixed up and poured in a pan and tossed in the oven…..and then sometimes, very rarely, a cake is created with a couple of “extra special” ingredients that aren’t normally used in the recipe,
the result is an extra special cake, one that everybody loves,
it is irresistible to everyone, nobody can look at it or be around it without wanting a piece of it………
That was Chris….he was an “extra special” soul in this world, and he remains special, even in death….if not more so in death….
Many people judge him, and go on and on about “stupidity” for walking into the wild ill equipped…..STFU……it is not their right to judge him,
the same goes for those who judge him for leaving his family……When I had my children, I gave them life, I “gave” it to them, they owe me nothing now. It was my choice to have them, they do not owe me for doing so. Of course I hope they are in my life always and they live to grow old and have happy prosperous lives, but it is up to them how they live life and what they do with the life given to them.
He did what he needed to do and he had that right. I am the same age as Chris would be now and I am a mother of 4 sons…..my heart broke over and over reading about the journey of Chris “Alex Supertramp” McCandless, I can understand the pain the family felt and will feel the rest of their lives. My heart goes out to them, especially Billie.
It is of course very sad and tragic………but as sad and tragic it may be, it is beautiful and touching.
Like Rose says of Jack, from the Movie “Titanic”
‘He exsists now….only in my mind”
That is how Chris lives on…….in our minds and in our hearts, in our adventures and our thoughts.
He was perhaps a soul that was just too good for our world.
With Love,
Audra
Audra – Thank you for sharing your touching thoughts. I agree completely that Chris will live on in our thoughts, and I’m sure he will continue to do so for a very long time. Keep adventuring !
Audra – he hurt many, many people with his suicide. He was irresponsible though I totally get and agree with the philosophy that sent Chris out into the world the way he went.
I don’t agree with you that he committed suicide any more than a skydiving instructor who’s chute fails to open is committing suicide. Chris knew very well he was undertaking a very dangerous endeavor, and he accepted that risk. I don’t think that is the same as suicide.
I just watched the movie last night, and found it very moving. Not exactly sad…melancholy is the word I would use.
I agree that Chris did not “commit suicide,” nor do I think his actions were stupid. His death was the somewhat predictable result of his actions, so I can’t pity him and I really don’t think he would want me to. I don’t think he wanted to just survive in the wilderness…I think he wanted to survive in the wilderness with little to no prep. I can’t help wondering if most of the criticism comes from people who have never taken a real risk or stepped off the well-worn path.
I stumbled on your site while looking for the haunting picture of Chris, which appears at the end of the movie. Note the smile!
Hey Scratch, I like your train of thought, very similar to what I think about the whole thing.
I’ve been in Alaska more or less in the same time you’ve been and didn’t known Chris story. I’ve heard about the movie but just saw last friday and couldn’t stop thinking of the time I’ve spend in there, having (I believe) the same wondering about all that place, story and all… I’ve just stayed in the seaside cities (was working on ships…) but all the time I looked up to the mountains and when I flew over the snowy picks takes my breath away….
He’s story it’s amazing! The feeling taht I had in the end was “That’s it! That’s the travel way I always wanted” The whole travel, not just Alaska…. I love travel, principally alone… I learn to apreciated it! But as he wrote: “it’s nothing without shering”
That’s for the great post and photos means a lot for someone down the globe.
São Paulo, Brazil
Hey Jana – just like me you have been inspired by Chris’ amazing story!
Careful, it’s life changing
Thanks for sharing the pics of your trip. I too have read the book and seen the film. Something always bothered me though, more than McCandless’ lack of preparation — if Chris was shunning the materialism and comforts of modern society, then why did he choose to live inside the bus, a man-made structure? It seems at odds with his philosophy and desire to live off the land. Jack London’s characters, whom McCandless admired, didn’t live “indoors.” His use of the bus felt hypocritical to me. I know it may seem a small point, but it’s never sat right with me that a man who earlier ditched his car would spend months squatting inside of a man-made structure instead of living in a tent. Wouldn’t he strive to be as natural as possible? Of course, tents are man-made as well and Chris was constantly relying on society (via man-made weapons, books, people, etc.) throughout his journey. I guess I don’t see him as self-reliant as others do. I think he depended very much on the same society he scoffed at. That being said, I don’t judge his death. Each person has their own life to live.
It is an interesting point, Katie. If you have ever tried it, I think you`ll find that living in a tiny tent for months on end is not really all that fun (trust me) the bus was more like a `home`and not so temp. It really is a magical place, and I think if you went there, you would know why Chris chose to live there.
I just watch this documentary, in case you don’t know it, It’s pretty good.
http://www.terraincognitafilms.com/wild/call_intro.htm
Good Luck to all.
Thanks Mauricio, I really want to see that and will do as soon as I have a place to call home.
I find his story inspiring and saddening at the same time. Inspiring in that someone out there actually did it. He went on a journey in search of truth and beauty and created his self. I know he isn’t by any means the “first and only” person to ever go on a spiritual wandering, but I find his story so moving, one: because I am nearly the same age as him whenever he began his adventure (and can relate at least somewhat to his state of mind at the time), two: I feel most at home in nature (which I’m assuming he did as well since he lived in it for two years), three: our family situations are very similar, and four: by what I gather of his life, I see him as an embodiment of the philosophies I’m so moved by (namely those of Soren Kierkegaard and Walker Percy).
His story saddens me as well however, in that he did something that I’m not sure that could ever have the strength to do. I see some of the same things that he saw in society (well…I’m using the movie and research as references to his thoughts) but I’m not sure that I could ever just break away from it all. It makes me feel incredibly dishonest–surrounded by materialism and mind-numbing “entertainment” while maintaining how I’m so influenced by nature. Not that I feel that I have to do the same things as he did to live honestly, but I admire his strength of heart and conviction to find truth for himself. Just him feeling so passionately about something that he completely recreated himself–He is the knight of faith. I hope that I can stay focused on finding my own truth and beauty with such determination. I’ll find my own way and my own truth. Chris McCandless is an idol in that respect.
And to those who criticize and make assumptions of his mental condition–Truth is subjectivity.
Amazing thoughts Destiny – thankyou so much for sharing. Chris is truely an inspirational person
My boyfriends father owns a lodge in Heli, Alaska. I think I am going up there this summer now to go see this bus!
You really should go Danielle, Alaska is absolutely amazing!
Dan, I’m going to Fairbanks this May 25 2010.
My question is
1. Is it possible to do this hiking to the ‘Bus’ in one day? say If i start early like 6am from Stampede Road?
2. What is the total distance to the bus from Stampede Road?
3. Do have any clue whether it should be possible to cross Teklinika River at the end of May?
Your suggestion is highly appreciated.
Thank U!
Vatsan
Hey Vatsan, I hiked into the bus in one day, but I did drive a really really long way down stampede road in my Jeep. Without a good 4×4 you will have to hike a lot further, and I think most people then break it into a two day in, two day out hike.
I don´t know exactly, but I think we did something like 4-6 miles from where we drove to the Tek river then another 10 miles from the river to the bus.
I am no expert at all, but I think you would not be able to cross the Tek in late May. The park rangers I spoke to in Denali certainly knew of the Tek, so it would be worth calling and asking them how high it is running when you plan to go. If you are experienced and well equiped, I expect they will be helpful.
All the best, let me know how you get on.
Thanks Dan! I’ll get in touch with the park rangers.
If that is not possible, my alternate is to travel to Valdez (Alaskan Swiss), which is at south-east of Anchorage.
Valdez is very very beautiful, you will have a great time even if that is your ´plan B´
This is very interesting. I too will be traveling to Fairbanks on May 25 2010. Maybe we’ll see each other around the bus. I plan to spend a great deal of time there.
Even if the river is rather impossible to cross in June I plan on building a minor zip line across it to help my packrafting across. Email me at enduretheelements2007(at)yahoo.com
Wow, J.D. you sounds really determined to get there! A pack raft really does seem to be the way to go.
I’d love to hear if you make it.
I cannot wait to make the journey to the magic bus!!!
For experienced wilderness travellers, it’s a very special place!
I watched the movie today…and browsed all over the web to gather whatever i could regarding chris…and thts how i got here too….
i have to say, Dan congrads tht u made it to the MAGIC BUS…hope i could do it someday as well…
Chris has inspired me so very much that i have come to a conclusion that atleast i would change certain aspect of my life from now on…atleast the materialistic aspects…
i just cant stop thinking how a 23 year old young man could think so so so maturely…may his soul rest in peace…
and great snaps Dan BTW…
would like to see more of Magic bus and its surroundings…
keep hiking…:)
Subodh – Chris has inspired me hugely as well. He taught me many lessons that I´ll never forget and will carry with me on all of my adventures. If you have the wilderness experience, I highly recommend a trip to the magic bus…
I will love to see more people just throwing all materialism excess and going wild in a such a passionate way. I would like to feel once what it feels to loose everything in order to have everything.. thanks for showing how to live and die strong, does who fear to live salute you!. Peace..
Hey Esteban, you are very welcome. I hope I can inspire you to live your dreams as well!
Dan, thank you for your pictures and sharing of your story so that those of us who were looking for more after seeing the movie/docu. could follow with more story. Unfortunately, I don’t think that Chris’ experience would move so many if he had not been such a tragic figure – and that leaves me with such mixed feelings. How about you?
Hey Caroline – you are right, it’s a very difficult topic to cover. I could speculate all day on what Chris may have become if he had not died at the bus, but obviously nobody knows for sure. It is very sad that he passed away, so we should make the most of the lessons he taught us.
“Alex” was cockamamie crazy to go into the Alaskan wilderness, with no real training or supplies. But to me, those are the kind of people who lead truly interesting lives. They’re considerably more fascinating than the JoeBlow types who become ko-zillionaires and become old and cranky, then die trying to hang on their ever-last penny.
I was 23 years old when I lived in Alaska (Fairbanks) in 1986. I enjoyed traveling and seeing the astonishing wilderness – Talkeetna, Anchorage, Denali, etc. Seward is the prettiest little town I’ve ever seen. I will never forget my 2 1/2 week cross country trek (from my small Georgian hometown) to Alaska, taking mostly backroads, staying in unfamiliar towns, opting to see the countryside as opposed to driving the populated and well-known highways. I lived in Fairbanks for 8 months, and then took a different route back to my hometown. It was one of the most awesome times of my life.
McCandless was clearly a lover of all that is natural. His story was totally cool, right up until the part where he died. But I imagine had it not ended that way, his story would have not been so renown. I hope he found the solitude he was looking for; it sure seems that way.
Hey Lisa – your adventure up to Alaska and back sounds amazing! I’m surprised you went back home, I sure met a lot of people that never did.
Maybe Chris was ‘crazy’. But then, even if you had the chance, would you want to be ‘normal’?
I don’t.
I just watched the movie for the second time and read the book a few years back. It is amazing how inspirational they are, and how sad. I am about the age Chris would have been if he had lived, and I share his love of nature and adventure, but I do not have his courage. When I see his death portrayed, I feel that a part of me is dying. I know this means it is time to start really living a joyful life-I think this is his message. I love him – at least what his quotes, and the book and movie seem to say he is. Like so many others, I will have a better life because of him.
Your posts and pictures show how life continues on after death. Just imagine what he would think if he read all this! Thank you and have a great adventure!
Sylvia – I feel pretty confident Chris would not want us to be sad about his death, but to draw inspiration from it as you have to make sure we prioritize things in our life in a manner than makes us as and those around us as happy as possible.
Hello Dan,
I just saw the movie and thanks to the internet read up on Chris and his life, how interesting. I was telling my 17 year old son about it and that I wanted him to see it when he gets a chance. I think there is a free spirit in all of us just dying to come out but most of us are just scared to take some chances. As I told my son what’s really important is not the wealth or material things we accumulate but the people we touch and the relationships we create. What else really matters? Thanks for your account of your trip to the Magic School Bus, reading it and seeing the photos made Chris’s story all the more real. I am looking forward to reading more of your adventures, good luck!
Hey Juan, thanks so much for the comment and contribution! I think most people go through life without really thinking about what they want. Going to work everyday and buying things like cell phones and big screen TVs and fancy cars is something that kind of becomes automatic. It’s great you can teach your son there are more important things in life and all those possessions really are a choice.
If a person really does enjoy those things then they should absolutely get them, but I have to wonder how many people actually do.
Personally I think that Chris’s reasons and intentions changed as he fled college, ‘normal’ life, and his materialistically damaged family. Originally it seemed that Chris was simply running away; almost a youth in revolt, but in a adult to society kind of way. As Chris moved along through his odyssey, he began to realize this plan to discover himself and the understanding of life. Quoting from the book, “Just get out there,” it seems Chris needs to purge himself of materialism, wants, and luxuries in an attempt to understand life, and the true meaning to survive. He understands that the concrete, most basic mental process of any living thing is to survive, and only by truly surviving on his own can he cleanse himself of society and live.
That’s a really cool interpretation – I’ll be thinking about that for a while to come.
Thanks Gordon!
“It is some advantage to lead a primitive life if only to learn what are the necessaries. Most of the luxuries and many of the so-called comforts are not only dispensable but positive hindrances.” -Thoreau
Wow Ryan, I really like that.
I’m trying to read Walden right now and I’m going through really slowly.
i like the way you did the interpretation, nice post.
What I would have done: Donated about $12,000 (about half, in other words) of the money to charity. Used the rest as seed money or capital to begin a new independent life. By the time I reached Alaska and the Stampede Trail area, I would have certain basic supplies – I’d be well-prepared for what I was trying to do.
I am not saying that I don’t admire Chris, because I do!
And I particularly admire him for trying to live on wild edible plants.
Also, I admire his idealism – which was obviously combined with a certain degree of realism.
For example, he was realistic in that he proved that it is possible to live by foraging for wild vegetation.
I admire the idealism that is similar to the idealism of the monks and hermits who have withdrawn from society for spiritual contemplation and spiritual growth.
There is a time for socializing; a time for altruism; and a time for solitude – a time for spiritual reflection and contemplation.
Hey Carrie, I find it interesting you mention you would spend some money to be “well-prepared” for what you were trying to do. Everyone that undertakes an activity accepts their own level of preparedness as a balance with the level of adventure they want to have. There are many people that attempt to climb Everest without oxygen, or who camp out in the woods under a very small tarp and nothing else – this doesn’t make them unprepared.
I think it just means they decided what is absolutely essential for their adventure and took the bare minimum (in their own mind)
I think Chris thought himself prepared.
-Dan
The trek of mccandless has inspired me to take a better look at life,I enjoy hiking,hunting and fishing
[ with the proper equipment]. The world can speculate about Chris all day and night but only chris new what he was running to and not from, He touched the lives of thousands of people, Just like angels do
I am not a religious person. But very spiritual in nature. Chris walked with the animals, swam with the fish,and broke bread with new friends. Now he fly’s with the angels. R.I.P. christopher mccandless and thank you for your Journey.
Very well said Lee.
I can admire Chris’s determination, and even admire what he set out to do. But I can’t agree with how he did it. I’m one of those people who think Chris was foolish to go into the wilderness so ill-prepared. Common sense should have told him that certain precautions and preparations were necessary… but he let his desire to distance himself from civilization overpower whatever good sense he had.
But then, I could be one of those who has a rather strict “risk assessment” agenda. For example, the idea of going into the wilderness without a compass and/or a map is totally unacceptable. I would never even consider it. Hiking in the Adirondacks as a teen showed me how important a map can be. But apparently Chris didn’t think he needed a map or compass. I read somewhere that if he did have a map, he would have seen some crossable points, and perhaps a hand-powered ferry winch, on the Teklinika, within two miles of The Bus. On that day he decided to return to civilization, he would have emerged from the wild as a sickly, but ultimately much wiser man, who could have passed on his experiences, mixed with a healthy dose of caution. He would have survived, had he been carrying a map. Returning to the bus with no idea of where to go or what to do next, was a death sentence.
Chris may have thought he was prepared, but he was perhaps the only one on earth who did. The guy who gave him a ride into the park tried to talk him out of it, or at least try to get him to go to Anchorage for supplies. But Chris refused. It’s as it his sense of self-preservation had been overpowered by his desire to “live with nature.” Mother Nature is a very harsh mistress, and she doesn’t suffer fools. Chris learned that the hard way.
When I read the book about Chris’s travels and ultimate fate, I kept thinking “this guy is an idiot!” He was brave, determined, ambitious, and his ideals were most admirable. But all of that can be rendered moot in the absence of plain, good sense. Sorry, but Chris should have known better.
On the other hand, Dan, in reading about your travels, I’ve come away thinking “this guy is having one hell of a good time, and he knows what he’s doing!” You’re doing something similar to what Chris did, but you’re doing it right. I don’t think people should be looking as Chris for inspiration when it comes to fulfilling dreams. They should be looking to people like you, and other successful adventurers, who have followed their dreams… but had the good sense to be prepared.
As I write this, you’re somewhere in Guatemala, and still going. Godspeed!
-R
Hey RJ,
Thanks for the very detailed comment – I really like your point of view, but I think it’s a little dangerous towards the end
I find it interesting you say that I am “doing it right” – what makes you come to that conclusion? – I think it’s only the fact that things have been going well so far. If I had been kidnapped in Mexico (or in fact, if I am still to be kidnapped) there will be an army of people to label me just as “stupid” as Chris – unprepared in not speaking Spanish and bringing a gun, etc, etc.
Same goes for my lack of knowledge on the Jeep & current political situations in different countries.
To give you something to think about, I went to the magic bus with no map or compass and no bear deterrent of any kind.
(Not that I recommend anyone else to do such a thing)
I chose how prepared I wanted to be and went for it. It worked out OK, so I’m not “stupid”.
It’s all about perspective.
-Dan
Hello Dan. Thanks for the reply.
It has come to be that the trek of mccandless is drawing a lot negative insight, about his being prepared to set forth on his journey, The question is how prepared can one be for setting out INTO THE WILD. This trek he was on was actually a quest, he had no intention of ever comig back. As far as supllies, a compass would have been good,High protein mre’s and antibiotic for those ugly bug bites and of course first aid kit. But even those items would have lasted only so long, He said he was going to alaska to LIVE not to hike or camp. A back pack can only hold so much. The one thing that confused me more than anything about his journey was it did not mention fish at all, he was surrounded
by water in every direction, If you are going to live with the animals, learn from them, even they have to be nourished, I am leaving in june to go to alberta on a 300 mile tributary following that will put me in some very dangerous and thick places even by kayaking, I will have to survive on what i bring and the rest i will have to earn. But I plan on coming back until my next adventure.
As far as chris goe’s I have no opinion because I cant’t mock what I do not understand.
I truly admire him. And I enjoy follwing your journey. KEEP ON KEEPING ON! THANKS.
Lee, you are totally right that a backpack can only hold so much. Chris wanted to live off that land and was trying to do that. In the book, Krakauer pretty much throws down a challenge for anyone to go and live completely self-sufficiently in the woods, saying it’s pretty darn difficult and only a very few people can do it for a long period of time.
It sounds like you are about to set out on an amazing adventure yourself! I hope you keep a diary and write about it in some form or other. I’d love to read about it.
All the best, enjoy the wilds!
-Dan
thanks!
I keep a diary for every day life, there are so many things around you that can be remembered by others. I needed solitude about 7 years ago so for a year and a half I lived on a boat that had a cabin not much bigger than a pop up camper, There I wrote in a journal frequently. My 3 older brothers ask me for the journal to hard bound. They stayed in trouble growing up and just did not understand me.
so I told thim when ever you have a hard time seeing where i am coming from on the way I handle things [read the journal for the answers ]. They now keep many pictures, and magazine articles written on some of my whirl wind adventures as people call them. I just recently have been published in a book in georgia on a number of my experiences and wild game recipes that i have fabricated in my years as an executive chef. I keep the journals to help the writers have a mental pictoral of each step. when I am not traveling I am constantly dreaming on another excursion. My wife and my newly adopted first child of 10 years old are very supportive and he can’t wait to tag along. He practices on his edurance every day. I would like to send some pics of past experiances if that’s ok.
Wow, Lee, just wow. You are and have been living the dream for many years. I’d love to see you blogging and sharing tales and photos for the world to see! I’ll send you an email so you can send me some pics.
Hey Dan,
I sent some pics to your e-mail and I am working on building a web site for my son to maintain and keep updated, He is excited. For anybody who my be interested in the study of grizzly’s I just found out from a biologist that if you are ill such as cancer,or any inner body infection a bear will not attack you unless you are provoking it. This was an experiment i witnessed first hand. The bear will just sniff up close and then back up and walk away. It was very interesting. maybe that is why chris servived as long as he did without conflict. Who knows, but interesting none the less. thought for the day!!
never over think nor under react, focus on the journey ahead never set a destination just a resting point.
Lee – thanks for the photos, they were great.
Very interesting about the bear thing, I have not heard that before.
Chris was an adventurer without a clue noone tackles the Alaskan wild without so much as a compass and map, had he brought either one of these he would have easily walked out of there. There is nothing worse than wasted youth. This is a great example of it! In my eyes he could’ve saved himself the suffering and hanged himself if he wanted to die that bad, he went out there to die plain and simple!
Certainly many people share your opinion, I am not one of them.
Is his real jornal published?
Not that I’ve ever been able to find, John. Many people around the net are asking for it, I assume his family has it and I think Krakauer also has read it (not certain on that)